6,8 AND 10, WATER LANE

HERTFORD

TL3212SW WATER LANE, Hertford Castle 817-1/19/314 (East side) 10/02/50 Nos.6, 8 AND 10

GV II

Terrace of cottages, formerly part of stabling and outbuildings of Hertford Castle. Late C18, altered. Red brick, Flemish bond, old tiled roofs, hipped at ends, above corbel band and dentil header cornice. Red and yellow brick chimneystacks, with projecting band, on ridge. Principal (west) elevation faces the Hertford Relief Road, Gascoyne Way; irregular 6 bay facade with single bay projections at left and right. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys. First floor has 1 flush-set 9-pane sash window in projecting left bay, and 6, irregularly spaced, in centre. Ground floor has broad rubbed brick arches in the projecting end bays (now infilled), equivalent to those accommodating paired doors on No.4, and were infilled when the block was converted from stabling, probably at the time of acquisition by Hertford Borough Council from the Gascoyne Cecil (Salisbury) Estate in 1952. Ground floor now has 5 sashes, 1 under rebuilt segmental arch, 2 under rebuilt soldier arches, and 2 under slightly cambered rubbed flat arches. 3 half-glazed doors beneath C20 Welsh slated lean-to hoods carried on gallows brackets. Rear (east) elevation has 2 small wood casements and three 12-pane sashes on first floor and 4 C20 inserted 16-pane sashes on ground floor. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORICAL NOTE: the stables and adjoining cottages were built by the Marquess of Downshire in conjunction with his reconstruction of the Gate House. Together with the other Water Lane cottages, conveyed to Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust in 1971, and refurbished, architect John Snellgrove Associates. (Hertfordshire Countryside: Davies AG: From Royal Palace to Council Offices: Letchworth: 1946-1971: 36-8; Hertfordshire Countryside: Jones LFR: In the grounds of Hertford Castle: -1972: 46-7).

Listing NGR: TL3242012410